24-Hour Sit-A-Thon

About Clouds in Water
Clouds in Water Zen Center is a vibrant urban community in the Soto Zen Buddhist tradition dedicated to awakening the heart of great wisdom and compassion. Located in the Frogtown neighborhood of Saint Paul, we welcome people of all backgrounds and faiths. As a non-profit organization, we operate primarily on donations and no one is turned away for lack of funds for any of our programming.

About the Sit-a-thon
This year, we're going for 24 hours (our guiding teacher, Sosan, is meditating the WHOLE time!), and we have an incredibly generous donor who is offering to match every dollar raised this year and put it toward our mortgage! That means we can raise $50,000 to keep our center open and thriving while at the same time putting an additional $50,000 toward paying off our sanctuary in the heart of the city.

Why Support Our Work?
As Buddhists, when we sit, we actually sit for ALL beings. We believe in the ripple effect of this practice to bring more peace, love, and justice to our hurting planet. We know of no other practice that can meet what we're up against with such grace, resilience, courage, and tenderness.


From our services and classes throughout the week to our LGBTQ support, BIPOC sitting group, Racial Awareness Groups, Friday Night Zen, 12-Step Mindfulness Group, Youth & Family Program, and more, Clouds is passionate about creating and maintaining a thriving sangha that celebrates diversity. But we can’t do it without the generosity of people who believe that this ancient spiritual technology is vital, especially in these noisy, tumultuous times.

About me and why I will be sitting
Greetings!  My name is Andrea Farley Spangler and I am the Administrative Assistant and Youth Practice Coordinator at Clouds in Water.

I started meditating a little over 13 years ago.  I would say that I have been practicing my whole life though.  Always seeking an answer, or a community that fit.  How lucky I was ten years ago that I came across Clouds - I could stop seeking, and start sitting!

Now that I have a three year old I don't get to sit often (to meditate or otherwise).  But that doesn't mean my practice is on hold.  How grateful I am to be a part of a sangha that has space for even our youngest members.  I started bringing my daughter to our youth programming when she was only 6 months!  Without a doubt, this community has supported me in various ways and stages throughout my life.  Now I get to show my support for this community by sitting.  I hope you will consider donating and/or joining us to sit!